What was the best?

[mk55]

and most reliable inline 6 merc made and when did the horsepower rating from crank to propshaft take place. One guy told me the 135 became a 115 with the new rating. Is that true. Again thanks for any help. Dave.

[outboard bob]

I myself have had quite the assortment that I have ran on boats over the years ,from the mark 75 direct reverses to the 1500 xs. I will have to say the 1961 merc 700 full gearshift engine was the most reliable trouble free Inline Six Outboard the Kiekhaefer corporation ever made.

[Mark75H]

135 became a 115 with the new rating Not exactly. More like the 150/140 became the 115 (the 115 became the 90) The propshaft to powerhead rating change took place during 83/84. You have to be careful using twin engines from those years .... you might find 2 motors labeled 115 - and one of them is rated one way and the other the other way. There is a service bulletin with the serial number list to keep them straight.

A 700 FGS is a nice motor, but it has the very complicated dual point distributor; basically not serviceable by amateurs.

I'd nominate the 115's & 90's that were smaller kin to the top of the line 6's any particular year after 1968.

[lilabner]

I agree with Bob, although the I never had a problem with a DR..and I was setting up distributors when I was 16 in 1958...and I still have my original tools..
The only reason I would pick a FGS is because it was a little bit of a comfort to actually hear your motor idle at the dock before you took off...racers could care less...

[rnelems]

Had several 125's starting when they were new in 1968 to the current 1968 I have on my Shooting Star.It's 37 years old with the powerhead seal intact and we run it whenever we feel nostalgic :p Never fails to start,never fails to take me home. The 125 has my vote,1966-1967 110 would be a close 2nd. Robert

[Hottrucks]

I have a 67 110 that was worked by Merc back in the day to turn ungodly tach #'s for a I 6 they told me then it was capable of 165 Hp. I have skied behind it as a kid 25 years ago. It's never been apart and still purrs I'm looking for a Kool old school hull to put it on. I just missed a G 3 but something will come along I'm sure. Thers a pick somewhere on the board of it. Still not a scratch on it other than the lower and I grab every SS prop I can find for when the time comes.